Midfielder Aaron Ramsey backed Wenger’s calls to win back the fans, who have stayed away in numbers for several matches now.

Ramsey said: “Hopefully there won’t be so many empty seats but we’re just focused on going out there and trying to win a football game.

“Hopefully our performances on the pitch will encourage many to come back.”

Arsenal take a healthy lead into the second leg of their last 16 clash after 2-0 in Milan.

With Tottenham and Manchester United both crashing out of the Champions League Wenger was asked if Arsenal are the English side with the best chance of winning a European trophy.

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The Arsenal manager chats with Henrikh Mkhitaryan

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Aaron Ramsey scored in the first leg against AC Milan

“I don’t approach it like that,” replied Wenger. “This is one opportunity we have and we have to take it. We did half a job in the first game but Europe gives you a psychological problem you have to master.

“When you have won away from home, you have to finish the job at home. But it is not easy because it always puts the team who is playing against you in the position of having nothing to lose.

“And you have to face the fact that the best way to approach the game is to try to win it.”

Wenger also admitted he has sympathy for United boss Jose Mourinho, who is the latest manager to cop criticism after the way his side lost to Sevilla.

He said: “I am supportive to everyone who suffers. I want English football to do well. A guy said, ‘You are loved when you are born. You are loved when you die. In between you have to manage’.”